Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) constable on Sunday morning after he inadvertently crossed into Bangladeshi territory in the Patgram area of Lalmonirhat district bordering West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district. He was later returned to India after a flag meeting between the two border forces.
The jawan, identified as Constable Ved Prakash from the BSF’s 174th Battalion stationed at Arjun Camp, was part of a team responding to suspected cattle smuggling around 4:45 am in the Mekhliganj area. Dense fog covered the unfenced stretch of the border, allowing smugglers to cross a herd of cattle into Bangladesh.
According to Bangladeshi media reports citing a BGB statement, Prakash advanced ahead of his team but lost contact amid the thick fog. He then inadvertently crossed the border behind the smugglers and entered 50 to 100 meters into Bangladeshi territory. He was then spotted by a patrol team of the 51st BGB Battalion and taken into a local border post.
The incident reportedly took place at Dangapara near border pillar DAMP 1/7S, adjacent to the Angarpota border outpost in Ward No. 2 of Dahgram Union in Bangladesh. The BGB confirmed that the constable was being held at a local border outpost at Angarpota along with his service weapon, ammunition and other equipment. He was carrying a shotgun, two rounds of ammunition, a wireless set, and an Android mobile phone
BGB authorities contacted their BSF counterparts to inform them about the incident. The BSF reportedly acknowledged the soldier’s mistake, expressed regret and requested his return to India. The BGB assured his safety, and a battalion-level flag meeting was arranged to facilitate his swift repatriation in line with bilateral protocols.
Accordingly, a battalion commander-level flag meeting was held at the Tin Bigha Corridor area on Sunday at 3:30 pm. Deputy Commander of 174 BSF Battalion Bijoy Prakash Shukla was present on behalf of India, while BGB was represented by Commander of 51 BGB Battalion Lt. Col. Salim Al Deen. At least 10 members of the border guard forces of both countries participated in the meeting held as per the due process of the Bangladesh-India Joint Border Agreement 1975 and international law.
BSF reportedly expressed regret over the incident and assured that such incidents will be avoided in future. BGB demanded that if any Bangladeshi national enters India by crossing the border illegally, such people should be handed over to the BGB without firing, and BSF agreed to this.
After the meeting, the BSF team returned with Constable Ved Prakash.
